Reputation Management….That’s Our Suggestion.

“Please drop your suggestion in the box”…Remember those days? Businesses of all types and sizes would have some sort of wooden, metal or cardboard box on either the counter or wall inviting customers to make a suggest or leave a comment regarding their business or service.

Now, imagine if that suggestion box was full, overflowing even with comments, suggestions and ideas regarding that business, yet, the business owner never opened the box!  Imagine how ridiculous that would be. Truth be told, it would be a complete missed opportunity for that business owner to engage with and consider the advice and opinions of the consumers….the exact consumers who are supporting the establishment.

This sad scenario is occurring everyday and in most cases, business owners are unaware that their suggestion boxes are overflowing.

Social Media forums like Facebook, Yelp, Foursquare, Manta, Google Places, Yahoo Local, Urban Spoon and so many more are compiled with consumer reviews, feedback, comments and suggestions that business owners simply aren’t paying attention to. This new age of “social” technology and direct consumer access to businesses online establishes a phenomenal FREE link between business owners and their customers, but it also produces a “chain” of reaction if consumers are posing questions, concerns and reviews which are being ignored. Reputation Management, as it is commonly referred to today, is crucial for business owners and an essential task if businesses genuinely want to serve their customers.  It’s an added duty no doubt, but that’s looking at the glass half full. Instead, look at it this way; Never has the opportunity been so great for business owners to hear from consumers on a voluntary, regular basis through forums that  automatically drive information pertaining to your business right into your inbox, or “suggestion box”.

Embrace…Engage…and get Excited about it! Your business reputation is counting on it.